A Webquest to Study Literature of the Renaissance Era
(1300-1650 A.D.) and to Examine Public Policies that Promote Creative
Achievement within a Society
Introduction
In E81H one Unit of study for our class will focus on the exciting, productive years of the Renaissance (1300-1650 A.D.) and, in particular, some of the brilliant and memorable literature of this time period. You will put together a Power Point presentation which will differentiate the pre-Renaissance era from the Renaissance era and will highlight the literary achievements of authors of this period (as contrasted with the dearth of learning and art during the Dark Ages). You will also analyze existing and new public policy ideas that promote and encourage the type of renewal and enrichment of the arts that brought about the Renaissance which began in the 14th Century and be able to draw conclusions based on your analysis. Overall, this exercise will help you to understand what brought about the Renaissance and what public policies influence such an exciting growth of the arts.
The Task
I. You will create a product, a Power Point presentation, by designing slides that provide the following information:
II. You will make an in-class oral presentation of your Power Point outcome.
Process
Students will use these steps of the Public Policy Format:
http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/digital/2000/cnc/c05renaissance/historicalbackground
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/middleages.html
http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/r/renaiss.htm
http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/bailey/renaissa.htm
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/resources.html
http://usinfo.state.gov/
journals/itsv/0698/ijse/ijse0698.htm
http://www.state.ok.us/~arts/Pages/artists/artists.html
1. What are two existing laws or policies
governing the development of the arts within our society?
2. What are the advantages of these policies (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)
3. What are the disadvantages of these policies? (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)
4. Propose at
least two new/original public policy alternatives that might be put into effect
in the
5. What are the advantages of these policies (i.e. effectiveness, costs, public acceptance)?
6. State why you prefer one policy over the other.
The following English Language Arts Performance
Standards apply:
The following Learning Standards for
Evaluation
Your project, including the Power Point presentation, will be evaluated and graded as follows:
1. You have done the required reading and Internet research, are familiar with
the topic and the background information. (50 points)
2. You are creative in your discussion of public policy issues. Your
writing is very clear and the suggestions and explanations you make are logical
and convincing. (20 points)
3. Your Power Point slides are clear and understandable, complete and follow
the instructions given (20 points).
4. Your language is appropriate for the intended audience (i.e., your
classmates). (10 points)
Conclusion
By completing this Webquest, you will learn how to use the assigned readings to understand the literary contributions to the Renaissance era and how to use the Internet to gather information. You will use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate information in order to produce a Power Point presentation and to make decisions as to which public policies foster growth and creativity in the arts.